loyal steed
- noun
- Literature
:
caballo leal
- In fairy tales, a loyal steed often helps the hero achieve their quest and overcome obstacles.
Examples
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The knight relied on his loyal steed during their dangerous journey through the forest.
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My loyal steed.
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She's a little feisty, but she's a loyal steed.
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She always considered her dog a loyal steed because it was a devoted and reliable companion.
Synonyms
12
7.6
A loyal and reliable person who supports a group
10
1.0
A person who always supports you and can be trusted
1
3.9
A person who strongly supports and stays loyal to someone or something
1
2.8
A person or animal who stays with and supports you in hard times
A person or thing you can always trust to do what is needed
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning is directly and predictably derived from combining 'loyal' (faithful) with 'steed' (a horse): a faithful horse or, by simple figurative extension, a faithful companion. The adjective+noun composition is transparent and follows ordinary English semantics, so a B1 learner who knows both words would readily infer the MWE's meaning.
Etymology
Loyal steed comes from pictures of knights and their trusted horses: a steed was the horse that carried a rider into battle and a loyal horse stayed close and did not run away. So calling a person or thing a loyal steed means 'a faithful, reliable companion' you can depend on.